Martin's Mill girls set state record heading to Austin

About 30 miles west of Tyler, you'll find one the best high school programs in the state.

"It's very cool," said Martin's Mill sophomore Cheyenne Brown. "Knowing that all the schools, big or little, know who we are."

Girls basketball has put Martin's Mill on the map.

"Any where we go, people are like 'Oh, you're from Martin's Mill?'" said senior Meagan Weatherford. "'You have the best basketball program there is.'"

It's hard to argue.

The Lady Mustangs have the set the Texas Class 1A record, making an eighth straight appearance in the state tournament. The second best streak in the history of Texas girls high school basketball.

To put things in perspective, the current group of Martin's Mills seniors were in the fifth grade when the state tournament streak began.

"Every single girl for the past eight years had the same hard work and work ethic to get them to the same common goal," said senior Haily Jenkins. "To be a part of that is awesome."

Four Martin's Mill seniors will be making their final appearance in Austin. The group is still searching for its first gold medal.

"It doesn't come easy," said Jenkins. "But I'd be very upset (with a loss). I feel like this is our year."

Meagan Weatherford took it a step further.

"We will refuse to come home without a gold medal this year."

The Lady Mustangs face Snook in the 1A-I state semifinals Thursday morning. If the Lady Mustangs do fall short in Austin, they can still appreciate their place in Texas high school history.

"It's going to be something that when I get older, get married and have kids, I can tell them and look back this is what I was a part of when I was your age," said senior Taylor Munns.

Martin's Mill can tie the Texas record of ten straight state tournament appearances in 2015.

"I think we'll end up breaking the record just because of everything on know that goes on," said Jenkins. "The on the court and off the court leadership. It's going to carry on years and years after this."